AERWAVESA publication of the Northern Rockies AER

(Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired)

FALL 2012 NO FALL CONFERENCE THIS YEAR (IT WAS IN SEATTLE!) NEW OFFICERS NAMED SNOW KING LODGE IN JACKSON, WY TO HOST AER – JUNE 19

– 21 BY-LAWS CHANGES SUGGESTED JAN ZOLLINGER TO LEAD MSDB BRAILLE PROGRAMS CINDY HAYES RETIRES AND MUCH MORE…..

Looking for a Fall Conference? You may have missed it!! The chapter held its 2012 business meeting in Seattle (Bellevue) this July in conjunction with the international AER conference. About 18 enthused members attended the conference and the business meeting where they heard former Wyoming resident Diane Wormsley give an inspirational talk as well as Billy Henry, executive director for the Northwest Association of Blind Athletes. President-elect Pam Boespflug presided over all three board and business meetings as President Rennie Maki was home recovering from surgery. Attendees enjoyed a wide variety of inspirational presentations and the many side attractions and restaurants in the Seattle area.

Election of officers was held with the following results:

Ken McCulloch – President-elect

Claire Perrin – Secretary-Treasurer

Dana Ard – Parliamentarian

Tracey Orcutt – Montana Rep

Aileen Zaken – Idaho Rep

Barbara Engelbrecht – Wyoming Rep

Pam Boespflug will assume the presidency for two years.

Rennie Maki will remain on the board as past-president

WYOMING TO HOST AER IN JACKSON ON JUNE 19 - 21

By Mary Rich-Williams

Plans are underway for the joint conference in Jackson, WY on June 19 – 21. NRAER is partnering with WREIC. June 19 will be a pre-conference day, available for an additional $35 fee. Dr. Jan Van Dijk will be presenting one strand with Cathy Nelson. The other strand will be presented by Chuck Berlin. The regular conference fee is undecided at this point, but we hope to keep it at $125 or less. This will cover multi-session programming options

from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday as well as several general sessions, breakfast on Thursday and Friday, and lunch on Thursday.

On Thursday, June 20, presenters will be Millie Smith on SAM, Kathee Scoggin and Callie Spotted Elk on Instructional Strategies, Penny Rosenblum on Independence for Non-drivers, and Megan Mogdan on Autism in the VI population with Early Literacy.

Lunch is provided on Thursday with a keynote by Millie Smith on Bio-behavioral States. In the evening there will be a wine and cheese reception followed by the NRAER Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

Friday, June 21, will be another full day of conference programming with separate sessions by Phil Sweigert on the Communication Matrix and Shaken Baby Syndrome, as well as Robin Keating speaking on the Expanded Core Curriculum.

NRAER still has several slots to fill with emphasis on Rehab and O&M topics. Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mary Rich-Williams at 307-680-5599 or mwilliams@ccsd.k12.wy.us. Negotiations are still ongoing with speakers addressing Transition from High School to Adult Life, Vision and Aging, and Visual Conditions that Affect Adults with recommendations for Accommodations.

The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Strand will also present a strand of sessions on both Thursday and Friday. There will be up to six options during each breakout session, so this conference will be well worth the investment.

The conference facility is the Snow King Lodge. Room rates are as follows: Single/double - $113.00

SK 1 bedroom condo (sleeps 2 – 3) $159

LR 1 bedroom condo (sleeps 2 0r 3) $225.00

2 bedroom condo (sleeps 3 – 5) $225.00

3 bedroom (sleeps 5) $320.00

4 bedroom (sleeps 6) $399.00

The conference committee plans to have the website for registration available at the end of November. We can’t wait to see all of you there!

(Note: The Snow King came perilously close to wildfire this summer. Glad to hear it escaped serious damage).

Two Conferences Next Year? A note from President Pam Boespflug

The Montana OT/PT group has asked about the possibility of us doing our conference together next year. Their conference is scheduled in Billings in October 2013 during our teacher convention probably October 17 – 18. Would the membership be interested in two conferences? (The chapter business meeting is still likely to be in Jackson).

TWO BY-LAWS CHANGES TO GO BEFORE THE MEMBERSHIP IN JUNE

In an effort to improve the leadership of our chapter, two by-laws changes were approved by the board to go to the general membership at the meeting in June.

1. One change would be to split the office of secretary/treasurer into two distinct positions.

2. The second change would be to make the office of treasurer a four year term instead of two year.

These changes will require some modification of the wording in the by-laws and these will be distributed to the membership this spring.

A Message from the President – Pam BoespflugI hope you are all enjoying this great fall weather and had a touch of moisture. We just enjoyed a great Paralympic Clinic of tandem biking, Judo and Goalball in Billings, Montana which followed two days of Goalball in Elementary Schools in Northeastern Montana. Billy Henry, the director of the NW Association for Blind Athletes encouraged and accompanied the Outreach Consultants on these successful and fun endeavors. He is available to help encourage more participation of athletes with vision loss (360-448-7254)

Please remember to write a brief summary of the exciting things happening in your area for future newsletters. It is nice to hear what others are doing which in turn inspires others to try new or improve existing services.

Invite others in our field to become members of our professional organization NRAER. Registration fees for AER conferences will be available to them at a reduced rate as well as travel and insurance benefits.

Encourage the people that your collaborate with each day.

Pamela Boespflug

President NRAER

MONTANA NEWSBLVS update from Beverly Berg

Thanks to numerous fires in Montana and Idaho this summer, there has been lots of smoke, especially in Missoula and Billings. Several days were so bad the visibility was less than ½ mile.

It’s nice to report that BLVS staff have been stable this last year with no changes. The Billings office has had three interns from MSU-Billings—two for winter semester and one for summer. Missoula had an intern for winter semester and part of summer. Stacy Ferguson, VRT Billings, has only to complete her internship to finish her degree and Jeff Campbell, VRT in Great Falls, continues to work towards his internship.

Mark O’Brien and Tracey Orcutt attended the international AER convention in Seattle. They brought back a wealth of information to share with other staff.

The fall staff meeting was held at the Billings Office. This is a semi-annual meeting where everyone can meet face-to-face. Other staff meetings are held via web-ex.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services continued with its plan for reorganization. A couple years ago the vocational rehabilitee program and a couple other programs were split from Services for individuals with developmental disabilities. This summer we received division status and are now Disability Employment and Transitions (DET). DET encompasses Blind and Low Vision Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, transportation

coordination, and a couple of other one-person programs. This is important because DET will have specific unshared time at the budget hearings with the state legislature in the spring.

BLVS has applied for a Dept. of Aging “Money Follows the Person Grant”. This sub-grant could provide funding to create a video about the Older Blind program. The grant, if awarded, starts January 1.

BLVS and Vocational Rehabilitation are replacing the case management system AWACS and CASE-E. A company named Iron Data has the contract to write a new electronic case management system. This is the chance to look at what we are doing and find ways to streamline the case management process. The new management system will be fully accessible and useable with JAWS and screen enlargement programs.

BLVS is slowly moving toward mobile computing. This fall the counselors and regional managers will receive IPads to see if they will be useful when they travel to see individuals. If the experiment works, then the remainder of the staff will also have the device.

MSDB NEWS by Kerri Norick

Workshop for Instructors of Braille – Untangling the Dots 2012

The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind, Outreach Staff and the Department for the Visually Impaired are hosting the annual workshop for persons providing instruction to Braille students. The need for this training arose from the 2005 adoption of Montana New Rule 1: Assignment of persons providing instruction of Braille to students in the state of Montana. This workshop will take place on the MSDB campus October 18 – 19, 2012. The keynote speaker for this year’s workshop is Jan Zollinger.

Jan Zollinger has taught blind and visually impaired children for 36 years. She has taught in both the residential and outreach programs. She received her Bachelor’s in VI Education from Brigham Young University and began her career at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction). Jan will demonstrate how the Arts can increase a student’s motivation to learn Braille. She will share strategies that use music, movement, poetry, and dramam to help children learn the Braille alphabet and contractions. Jan says “The Arts are not meant to replace the traditional methods of teaching Braille. Instead, they should be used along with teaching the contractions to

increase motivation and learning.” Jan knows that the Arts make both teaching and learning more enjoyable and meaningful. In 2004 Jan received the National “Distinguished Educator of Blind Children” Award from the NFB. Jan also received her (NLS) National Library Services Literary Braille Transcriber Certification in 2007.

Jan has been working on a Braille Teaching Book specifically for TVI’s and anyone wanting to make learning Braille fun. Jan submitted her book to APH last spring. “Teaching Braille Literacy Through the Arts” was just accepted on August 8th as a product to be developed by APH. This is a great opportunity for teachers to network, continue their transcription course materials with support and learn more about dots!

Montana Regional Kiddie JamboreThis year the blind and visually impaired outreach staff is partnering with early childhood Part C providers to travel to Yellowstone, Silverbow, Missoula, Flathead, Cascade and the Highline counties to provide early intervention for young children throughout the state. These events are for families who have children with visual impairements ages birth through age 6. The purpose of the Kiddie Jamborees are to provide opportunities for children to paly, learn and network with each other in a nurturing,

educational and fun environment. The informal setting for parents, caregivers and educators to unite and exchange practical information, share their child’s favorite toys or activities and network is an invaluable asset to MSDB’s outreach program.

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) Comes to Montana

Students in eastern Montana have been invited to a “Paralympic” Experience in Billings, MT.

This experience will give students an opportunity to learn basic fundamentals and skills for participating in goalball, judo, and tandem cycling. Blind and visually impaired children grades K - 12 are invited to participate. Teachers of the Visually Impaired and other family members will also be welcome. Parents or Teachers are required to supervise students throughout the entire event.

WYOMING NEWS – by Leslie Bechtel Van Orman

SVI Intern:

Wyoming Services for the Visually Impaired has been enjoying the opportunity to have an intern this fall. Brook Erenstone, who lives in Jackson, is getting her Master’s degree in O&M and VRT. She is currently working with consultants around the state and despite hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles of driving each week, has a fantastic attitude, is learning a ton, and is going to be an awesome addition to our field.

Salus University Provides Master’s Degree Opportunity for Wyoming Teachers:

The Wyoming Department of Education is aware of the frustrations that districts face in trying to obtain qualified personnel to work with students who are visually impaired or blind. In order to build local capacity and to have more highly qualified staff in this area, the Wyoming Deaf-Blind Project has entered into an agreement with Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation. This agreement will allow teachers in Wyoming to have an opportunity through distance education to obtain their Masters degree as

a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) or a certification in Orientation and Mobility (O&M).

Salus University has agreed to provide in-state tuition to Wyoming teachers and to cover half the cost for tuition, the remainder of the cost would be the responsibility of the teacher or school district. Course work is on-line and on-site during the summers (4 weeks for TVI and 10 weeks for O&M).

Salus University, named for a Latin word meaning health and well-being, is known for its primary care philosophy, holistic approach, and commitment to the development and success of its students. It was established by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and has long been known for their work in low vision and blind rehabilitation. The University recently expanded their course work to include course work for Teachers for the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialists.

Wyo. Rendezvous Ski Day Scheduled for Feb. 14:

The Wyoming Department of Education, Services for the Visually Impaired (SVI) will be hosting its annual cross country ski gathering on February 14th at the Casper Mountain Trails Center. This day is an opportunity for children from across the state to spend a day cross country skiing with other students who have low vision or are blind.

SVI encourages families and educational team members to attend, as the event is also a great opportunity to network. There will be a display of assistive technology and lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Leslie Bechtel Van Orman at leslie.vanorman@wyo.gov.

IDAHO NEWSUpdate on the Idaho Commission – by Dana Ard

--Fiscal year 2012 has now ended, and ICBVI successfully rehabilitated 81 people in our vocational rehabilitation program. Stats for the IL program will be coming soon, and I will update when I know. We also met 5 out of 6 of the federal standards and indicators for VR.

--We have a counselor vacancy in Coeur d’Alene. Gina Washburn is the new BEP supervisor and Justin Fish is the new BEP specialist.

--SWEP was busy and active this year with 11 participants. They all participated in a weekly class on Interpersonal communication. The curriculum for the course is from Toastmasters International. It is a great curriculum and you don’t have to be a Toastmaster to order it. It would work well for any group of teens including classroom, church groups, etc. We will use it again for SWEP for next year. Students really like it.

News from the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind – by Jeanne-Marie Kopecky

Congratulations to Willie Mullins on winning Paraprofessional of the Year!

Willie has worked at the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in the visually Impaired/Blind Department for many years as a classroom assistant and Braille materials transcriber, as well as Co-Camp Director. While other nominees of specialized schools for the blind from across the USA were submitted, we are proud that the Council for the Blind chose Willie!

Jan Zollinger has been selected to work with APH! APH—the American Printing House for the Blind—is a national provider of products for qualifying children and students who are blind and also offers specialized trainings to teachers. Jan presented Teaching Braille Through Movement and the Arts during the Northern Rockies AER division in Idaho in 2012. She has expanded this presentation into a teacher-friendly book format and is now in the first stages of collaborating with APH.

We are pleased to announce that Jeanne-Marie Kopecky will be the Assistant Director of Outreach. Jeanne-Marie has 25 years of experience, including elementary classroom teacher of the visually impaired, regional teacher, lead teacher, and orientation and mobility specialist. We wish her luck in this newly-established position!

In the northern, eastern and central parts of Idaho, there will be a Tech Day, where students who are blind or visually impaired, and their parents, can learn about specialized and commercial technology. Not only will there be technology screenings and low vision assessments, but parents and students can also participate in workshops on self-advocacy and the IEP process in relation to school equipment. Please see your regional education specialist for more information.

Did You Know – by Ken McCulloch

Cindy Hayes has retired after 24 years of teaching in north Idaho. Cindy had one of the most beautiful and yet isolated regions in our area which covered northern Idaho to the Canadian border. Cindy organized a low vision clinic with Dr. Terry Porter out of Colville, WA on March 8. Six students attended the clinic with their families. New Idaho rep Aileen Zaken from Leading Edge Vision was there to share information related to assistive technology for individuals with low vision needs. Good luck Cindy and stay active with us!

(Cindy Hayes – newly retired and Aileen Zaken – new Idaho rep)

IESDB provides play by play commentary for its VI

students while watching basketball games. They use the school’s FM system. A staff person sits at

the top of the bleachers with a mike and calls the game play by play with lots of side commentary. Even some of the blind cheerleaders used ear buds to listen in and cheer at the right moments.

This year’s winter camp in Sun Valley, sponsored by Wood River Lions, was a little more special. Students attending were treated to gondola ride from the River Run Lodge up to the round House to enjoy lunch on the deck. They had a spectacular view! The usual inner tubing and cross country skiing took place at the 4-H camp.

Michael Graham, formerly a rehab counselor in Billings and former head of the Idaho Commission, is on the Board of Directors for IESDB.

AERWAVES is published (at least) twice yearly by Ken McCulloch (krmac6@msn.com) and Claire Perrin (perrin@silverstar.com)

Want to join AER? Please contact their website at aerbvi.org